by Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports

by Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots will face off for the third time in a year Sunday with the Ravens hoping to get even after losing last season's AFC Championship Game in heartbreaking fashion.

Here are five story lines to watch:

1. What's different: Both clubs have had the typical amount of turnover you'd expect of any NFL franchise season to season. But last year's conference title game boiled down to late misfortune for Baltimore: Wideout Lee Evans lost his grip on a potential game-winning touchdown, which New England defensive back Sterling Moore helped knock away; shortly thereafter, Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff missed a 32-yard field goal which would've sent the game into overtime. All of those players have moved on, and the Ravens in particular seem better off. Jacoby Jones is a blazer who not only makes a huge impact in the return game but showed that he can also make the big catch as evidenced by his 70-yard TD which sent Saturday's game at Denver into overtime. Rookie kicker Justin Tucker came through with the 47-yard field goal that vanquished the Broncos in double OT and also beat the Patriots in Week 3 with a 27-yarder at the gun. Baltimore also doesn't have injured corner Lardarius Webb, who picked off Tom Brady last year. On the other side, Brandon Lloyd is a clear upgrade over Chad Ochocinco/Johnson as the Patriots' deep threat while cornerback Aqib Talib solidified a once shaky secondary following his midseason acquisition. The loss of Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski (broken forearm) obviously hurts, though he didn't score in the previous two games vs. Baltimore.

2. Deep striker: Second-year Ravens wideout Torrey Smith (98 receiving yards, 2 TDs vs. Denver) made Broncos corner Champ Bailey look about as bad as he ever has in his Hall-of-Fame-caliber career over the weekend, and he won't face any player nearly as decorated Sunday, Talib included. Smith was a key performer in last year's playoff meeting (82 yards, TD) and somehow managed to be even better in Week 3 (127 yards, 2 TDs) despite playing on the heels of his brother's untimely death. He opens the field for resurgent graybeard Anquan Boldin not to mention do-it-all back Ray Rice.

3. On the run: Steven Ridley's 1,263 rushing yards in 2012 were the most by a New England back since Corey Dillon had 1,635 in 2004 ... and for all the praise Brady deserves, the Pats haven't gotten a ring since Dillon's signature season. Fellow soph Shane Vereen got into the act Sunday, scoring three touchdowns (1 rushing, 2 receiving, 124 yards from scrimmage) and could continue getting snaps even if injured Danny Woodhead (thumb) can play. The Ravens ranked 20th against the run in the regular season. And despite all the hoopla surrounding Ray Lewis' return from his triceps injury, Baltimore has allowed 277 rushing yards in two playoff games.

4. Matchup to watch - Ravens offensive line vs. Patriots pass rush: Baltimore's front five would seem to be vulnerable. Left guard Jah Reid's season-ending toe injury not only forced aging Bryant McKinnie back into the lineup but caused the team to move Michael Oher from left tackle to the right side while shifting rookie right tackle Kelechi Osemele into Reid's spot. Yet after allowing 35 sacks in the regular season, the Ravens have only surrendered two in the playoffs despite facing players like Von Miller, Elvis Dumervil, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. New England managed 37 sacks in the regular season but didn't get Joe Flacco and only took Matt Schaub down once Sunday. That probably needs to change given Flacco has outplayed Brady in each of the last two meetings and is coming off arguably his biggest NFL victory.

5. Legacies on line: It feels like more than a trip to Super Bowl XLVII is on the line here. Brady is still chasing that fourth ring that would pull him even with Hall of Famers Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana, his boyhood idol. Bill Belichick would match Chuck Noll's four Lombardi Trophies if his team goes all the way while tying for the most career playoff wins (20) among head coaches. But the Ravens are losing their soul with Lewis' looming retirement and would like nothing more than to send him into the sunset with a second ring. The franchise has weathered the loss of patriarch Art Modell and Smith's family tragedy in recent months as well. Throw in Flacco's desire to secure a long-term contract and stamp himself as an elite quarterback, and it's obvious how many purple chips Baltimore has on the table.

Why the Ravens will win: They seem to be shouldering that team of destiny mantle and probably should have beaten New England in each of their latest meetings given how well the Ravens have played them. Though the inspiration provided by Lewis has been the theme receiving the most attention, Baltimore's offense has finally found a new gear under recently promoted coordinator Jim Caldwell. They'll likely have to win a shootout with the high-scoring Patriots but have already proven up to that task.

Why the Patriots will win: Baltimore seems vulnerable physically if not spiritually. Brady was locked down (239 yards 2 INTs) in last season's playoff but had a much easier go in September (335 yards, TD). If he plays to his normal standard and effectively mixes in the ascending ground game using New England's new fast-break tempo, a battered Ravens defense that's played a lot of snaps lately could crack.